Johnny the Walrus by Matt Walsh is a book about identity and imagination. The story is about a kid who pretends to be a walrus, but his mom takes him a little too seriously and thinks he really is a walrus. The intended audience is kids ages 3-8.
At a meeting in April 2022 between two parents and GHAPS Curriculum Director Mary Jane Evink, two parents requested this book be added to the GHAPS elementary school libraries. According to the Material Reconsideration Guide, here are some of the criteria for GHAPS book selection:
Fill gaps in the collection to provide a more balanced and complete collection
Incorporate accurate and authentic factual content from authoritative sources
Include a variety of resources in physical and virtual formats including print and non-print such as electronic and multimedia, including subscription databases and other online products, e-books, educational games, and other forms of emerging technologies
Unfortunately, the request was denied. The parents were told that this book is a board book and children who read it would be teased.
Johnny the Walrus would add variety because it is a board book and would stand as a counterpoint to the many library books promoting the transgender agenda. Wouldn’t a book that discusses alternate points of view help to create a more balanced and diverse collection?
GHAPS does not seem to be following their own policies. It seems the true selection criteria is based on progressive ideology.